10 Japanese Words You Need to Know Before Traveling to Japan

posted by emi, Japan Talk, November 28, 2011

If you're busy like me you don't have time to learn the language every time you travel to a new country. In the case of Japan it's very important to learn (and use) at least a few words. The reason Japanese people aren't very comfortable with English. By using a few words of Japanese you make people more comfortable. When they're comfortable the English starts flying out and you're suddenly communicating. Here are ten words and phrases that will help you a great deal in Japan.

1. sumimasen
If there's one multipurpose Japanese word that gets you a lot of mileage it's Sumimasen. It can be used to:

say excuse me call the staff in a restaurant or shop an intro to ask someone a question ("pardon me") say thank you

2. doko
Doko means where. When you' re traveling you'll end up using this word a great deal. A few examples: doko (where?) ~ wa doko desu ka (where is ~?) eki wa doko desu ka (where is the station?) toire wa doko desu ka (where is the toilet?)

3. en
The Japanese word for Yen is en. Just take the "y" sound off. Here are the denominations of Japanese currency: ichi en (1 yen) go en (5 yen) juu en (10 yen) go juu en (50 yen) hyaku en (100 yen) go hyaku en (500 yen) sen en (1000 yen) go sen en (5000 yen) ichi man en (10000 yen)

4. ii

ii means good. It's often used to ask/indicate whether something is okay. ii desu ka (is it ok?) ii desu (it is ok)

5. nani
Nani means what. nani (what?) nan ji desu ka (what time?)

6. hai
Hai is best translated "I'm satisfied". It doesn't necessarily mean yes. For example, if you ask someone if they want more beer and they say "I'm satisfied" they're saying no. It's used a great deal in Japanese. It sounds polite.

7. Itsu
Interogative words are important when traveling. Itsu means when. itsu (when?) basu ga itsu desu ka (when is the bus?) densha ga itsu desu ka (when is the train?)

8. wakarimasen
It's important to be able to indicate you don't understand. wakarimasen (I don't understand) nihongo wa wakarimasen (I don't understand Japanese)

9. Eigo
Eigo is the Japanese word for English. It is pronounced like the American breakfast treat Eggo. eigo ii desu ka (is English okay?) eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (can you speak English?)

10. Gomennasai
I'm sorry. If you're worried you have offended someone this is the best word to use.